Terrible service. Extremely pretentious staff and food that doesn't fit the price tag.

This used to be my go to spot for coffee and a snack. What a disappointment. Not only was my $23 salad flavorless ( just an overbearing helping of shallots) but when I asked the barista about the chicken that I ordered that was not on my salad, he questioned whether I had already eaten it and was lying. As a yearround local, I so look forward to hitting my favorite spots once the summer tourists are gone, but BTB no longer makes the cut. Great chocolate chips cookies but that's about it. What a shame.... read more

To say that this place has my favorite coffee would be an understatement ....since meeting the barista Mikhail I can now no longer find satisfaction anywhere else. Ask my poor beleaguered boyfriend ....he's tried! I live and work in Edgartown and so with pride I send everyone to see him knowing they will get the best cup of coffee around! Not to mention the avocado toast ...which I kind of don't even want to for fear they will run out and there won't be enough left me to get my afternoon fix! Dinner on the patio... Had the ribs yummmmmm ugh when I start talking food i become less verbose especially when I think about how goooooodddd it is. Great food ....good people .... keep up the good work! You know I'll be back ...everyday ...sometimes twice read more

We ate here for dinner so I can't speak to the breakfast/lunch but the food was amazing. Really nice outdoor dining setup tucked away right in Edgartown. read more

Great location and trendy, but the food was just ok. I'm not really finding myself thinking about anything in particular. Breakfast special could have used more flavor and seasoning. The mushrooms and greens were bland. Toast was not very toasty and a bit chewy. The apricot preserves were a nice touch. Ok, but not great. read more

The ambience was great; the music was lovely. I enjoyed the conversations with my family here. The food was bland, and was served cold. Definitely, did not worth the price that I was charged. :-( $36 for 3 pieces of tasteless scallops. And we had to wait quite a bit for the bread that I ordered. Admittedly, the $7 bread was quite good. I am not writing this place off; I will give it another chance. However, you may want to try some other places. The staff was friendly and courteous tho. read more

The only place for coffee that tastes like coffee should on the island. This is a serious coffee place for people who know what they are drinking. Anything that is real and is good is expensive and this place is no exception. Worth the wait and the price. The outside courtyard is unique and a pleasant place to hang out. Bakery products are to die for and the rest of the menu is good to better quality. A hidden gem in Edgartown. read more

I needed a coffee and at that time of night, there weren't many places with coffee on the menu. I stopped here because they have a coffee shop in the back. They offered me a pour over (which is usually the best way to get coffee). I paid $4.95 for a small coffee. It was not that great and the cup was not full. Definitely not worth $4.95. There were guys in the kitchen swearing up a storm and my kids were with me. Not impressed. read more

If you're looking to see and be seen in your new Vineyard Vines outfit instead of getting a drinkable coffee - come here. This place is cute, located in the back of a bookstore. While standing in line there are signs with a website where you can order food. The prices are wrong - about $3 less per dish than the menu posted on the side of the shop. Ugh. There is no social distancing in the line, with the man behind us mere inches from us. The scramble for tables is chaotic and could be better handled as well. When we finally got inside, called in by the server screaming "hello" rudely as we waited for the shop to empty out to abide by guidelines, we asked to order shaksouka ($15 on the website, $18 in person). The woman behind the counter asked if we had a table - no - we had planned on ordering and then waiting for a table to avoid pushing anyone like the person behind us in line, who took the table we were adjacent to, assuming it was rude to take a table before we had food. There was no signage that would have guided us to save a table, and we would have been taking a seat from someone who already had food. After how rude the waitress was and the unsafe COVID conditions due to the lack of space and other patrons we left without ordering. Go anywhere else. A total nightmare. Avoid. read more

What a disappointment! One short rib was skimpy, the other just a bare bone. The lobster pasta dish was over-cooked and tasteless. I asked for bread ($7.00) and salt and pepper. The pretentious wait staff could not disguise their contempt. My wife asked for a short rib with meat on it... denied. A waste of money, and a taste of mediocrity. Save yourself! read more

Poor food. Went here once, wouldn't go back. The location is nice, but you could just go hang out in a park with takeout from most other places and have better food. I have no idea how this place has such a high star rating. read more

Sadly disappointing. We joined our friends to check out the Savor the Sea Fall Series dinner. We started with oysters and poke which were the highlight of dinner. The cocktails were also amazing. Our server recommended the bouillaibasse which I ordered. The mussels were so over cooked they looked like small pearls in the shells, the fish and shrimp were incredibly dry - possible pre-cooked. The clams were the only thing that was cooked to perfection. The accompanied toast points were so burnt I couldn't eat them. At $38 I expected far more. It also drives me crazy when there is a charge ($7) for bread. I'm pretty sure the chef didn't care about what he was serving. read more

Omg - amazing cappuccino and cookie for dessert! Brought a friend For lunch and we each thoroughly enjoyed not only the wonderful salads, the atmosphere is very cool also! Farro way to go! Mine was yummy Just not enough lettuce but the shrimp was great! Fab! read more

Total rip off. We paid $44.00 plus tip for 2 coffees and 2 breakfast sandwiches. We paid $3 extra each to substitute a bagel for our sandwiches rather than the bread, on an already $13 sandwich. Seriously?? I'll never return, what a joke. Wish I could rate zero stars. read more

Very disorganized. And extremely rude cashier. They need to learn basic human interaction and how to provide a hint of customer service.

Really cute place. Pour over was weak and was more like strong tea. Will give another chance in the future.

Delightful waitstaff and setting. Delicious menu. But service remarkably boneheaded. You order at the counter and take a number back to your table. Fine. When your coffee's ready the barista barks for you to come fetch it. Odd. Then, after a long wait and what's left of our coffee gone cold, the food makes its way out, one or two plates at a time. I had to wait at least 20 minutes for my order to arrive. Disappointing. read more

Extremely disappointing. Very very bad management. We waited for 30 min for a table. Then got told we had to order at their window. We lined up... to learn once reaching their cash register that they were not serving food anymore. A very rude lady told us: "too late". The food is probably good (although expensive for the size of portions). Not recommended. read more

Outdoor seating is beautiful but food is over priced and staff is rude. The shakshuka egg was not poached like it stated on menu. When I checked with staff if it was supposed to be poached the statement was made I should go to New York or make breakfast at home if I want a poached egg. read more

Love the fresh mint iced latte here - So amazing. Also, love having a drink at the bar midday. Such a hidden, cozy spot. Perfect escape from the busy sidewalks read more

Amazing coffee, beautiful cafe and seating area, unique music and friendly people. Only place I will ever get coffee on this island

Behind the Bookstore has all the elements of a great coffee shop. It just they are so SLOW. It take a long time to emerge the order. Even longer to get your order. The line is ridiculous. It's such an inefficiently run coffee shop it almost not worth going. read more

I love this place! The outdoor space is so peaceful and lovely (and shaded from the sun!) - I wish I could make my backyard just like it. During a week in Katama, I came here with my husband and two young children several times. Everyone who worked there was really sweet and accommodating with ours kids on all our visits and our service was always great. At first I thought this was just a morning coffee shop kind of place but we walked by one night around dinner time and realized that it was a full restaurant. We had dinner outside and everything I ate - the "little gems" salad, chicken dish and lemon sorbet - were extremely delicious - some of the best food I had on MV. Cant recommend it enough! read more

A tucked away little gem ...set back from the road. Sit have a light lunch and very nice cappuccino. Shade! Lots of it... nice people and good service. read more

Lots of love here. The secret weapon is a 25 year old pastry chef from St. Louis. Savory croissants and unique savory scones with clasdic chocolate cookies to die for. Excellent long term barista here as well so coffees are top not h. I used to be an Espresso Love guy but this place is killing it. Better ambiance as well read more

Behind the Bookstore would be better named: "Over the Top." Pretentious is the word that first comes to mind about this overpriced cafe in an alley way. You learn quickly that it's their way or the highway if you ask for anything that is slightly different from what's on the menu. Problem is is that the menu is very limited. We had to have the most expensive egg sandwich and griddle cakes on the island coming in at over $40. Oh, and don't ask for a refill for your coffee - "we only make French press." By the way, you also have to wait on yourself here which makes the outlandish prices even more outrageous. I guess it's just part of the Edgartown tourist rip-off. read more

Today, I shared a negative experience turned positive on my Instagram. My negative experience was about Behind the Bookstore (the positive aspect was that I found Rosewater Market shortly after). I kept it short and mostly praised Rosewater for all good things. Shortly after, one of the owners commented that I was using my social media incorrectly and negatively. I guess I wasn't aware of that there were rules to Instagram and that I wasn't allowed to share experiences with my friends and followers. I thought maybe she was angry at me because I shared my experience with 86,000 people, but as I read through the negative reviews here on Yelp, it seems as though they are known for attacking those who have less than perfect things to say. I don't know about you, but that seems backwards. I would think that leveling with someone to hopefully change their mind about your establishment seems much more effective. But, I digress. They incorrectly charged me, didn't put something on my dish that I asked AND paid extra for, and had unfortunately very poor attitudes when I brought this to their attention. I didn't attack them, I wasn't angry, I asked and reminded them gently and was in turn treated as if I was stupid. The employees and owners of this establishment are pretentious and their customers are beneath them. Just a reminder guys, your customers are what keep you in business, pay your bills, and make your life comfortable living. Treat them a little better. It won't hurt you, I promise. read more

TERRIBLE COFFEE, FLIES ALL OVER THE FOOD, AND TERRIBLE SERVICE. Don't waste your time on this tourist trap, the coffee we ordered was horribly bitter, when we politely asked the owner for a replacement, he was hostile to us and refused. It was also disgusting to watch the flies hang out all over the food in the case as we stood in the long line. There are so many cuter, more deserving places of your business nearby. Don't patronize this foul tempered, low standards owner. read more

This is still my favorite coffee shop on Martha's Vineyard, and one of my favorites in the world. I have never had a better cortado than they consistently serve. Lovely outdoor seating. The only downsides, at least on my last visit, are a snarky barista and limited tables in the summer crowds. read more

It has really fun outdoor seating but it also happened to be one of the most humid days on the Vineyard so we went inside to grab an iced tea first, and even for MV the prices!! We couldn't fathom the bill. A cup filled with ice splashed with a tiny shot glass full of liquid needs to be re-priced... sorry even for Edgartown we balked at the prices all day! read more

Great non-traditional breakfast offered but service is suspect-I really wanted to give this better reviews but two weeks in a row they have screwed up our order! Last week my husband silly ordered an egg and cheese sandwich with a croissant which we had planned on taking to the beach. When our order came the eggs came without the croissant. This week we ordered their shakshuka and blue corn griddle cakes. We submitted a second order of shakshuka shortly after-after15 minutes the first shakshuka came out...20 minute later the rest of our order had not come out-I figure there would be a slight lag but this was a bit much-we brought it to their attention and they gave us some muffins which was a nice gesture but what we wanted was everyone else's meal! Took over 45 minutes to finally get the rest of the meal and when it did, the eggs in the shakshuka were under done-runny! At that point we threw in the towel. Very disappointed! read more

Behind The Bookstore - Sakshuka and a biscuit on the side! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Edgartown, Massachusetts

First the good - Coffee. Though I love the Stumptown coffee at Waterside and the Raos cold brew coffee at Nat's Nook both in Vineyard Haven. Also great - The atmosphere is lovely. Now my complaint Food... I got a braised beef sandwich $13 on a baguette. If there was 1 oz of meat on the sandwich that would be a generous estimate. The coleslaw quantity on it was triple the amount of the beef. Quality of ingredients was good, it was just a case of price gouging. read more

Can't make a simple egg and cheese sandwich when the place is empty at 8am? Ok, fair enough, we went someplace a lot more family-friendly. The location is fantastic but the menu and set up are pretty painful. read more

After a nice look around the bookstore you must check out the cafe in the back. Its beautiful with the lights and patio furniture and they have many options for coffee lovers. We had gotten the iced chai and a cappuccino and both were exceptionally made. They also have many pastors and a small breakfast and lunch menu. A very nice peaceful escape from the busy Edgartown streets. read more

Rude staff, place is run by teenagers. We had to leave mid meal because the staff didn't acknowledge their mistakes and instead insulted us about how we had to embrace the nature of the restaurant. Also, our seats were wet because it had rained earlier, but the waitress seemed lackadaisical when asked to provide a towel. Once again, our waitress said "it just rained, so the seats are a little wet." The service here is terrible. On top of that, the appetizers were lame. The oysters were 90% water and the drinks were watered down and gross. My sons lemonade was pure lemon juice. Don't eat here. read more

It was ok. Stopped here for lunch and got an iced coffee and blt. Blue fish instead of bacon sounded good but it wasn't for me. I thought the coffee was average as well. read more

I love the ambiance - it is beautiful and peaceful, but $4 for a small iced tea is really crazy, even on the Vineyard. You have to adjust your mindset that you are paying for the experience and not buying a $4 shot of iced tea. read more

Had delicious avocado toast and chocolate chip cookie here. Both were excellent. Iced Americano was quite diluted and the service was grumpy and put out. Lovely outdoor seating area. They're doing some things right, missing on others read more

Very nice for breakfast--Croissants came out of the oven at 8AM and were delicious! The garden is nice and the kids were happy smelling the different herbs, looking at the flowers and playing. I had shakshuka eggs and it was piping hot and well spiced. Kids had porridge--they weren't sure about the way it looked but later gobbled it down. Service was friendly. read more

Coffee is better than I've had anywhere ever, and we travel a lot. Pastries are baked on premise by their own baker, almond croissant is also the best I've ever had. Garden setting is amazing with cool green awnings that are really architecturally interesting. Dinner steak and polenta seriously yummy, salads fresh and interesting. Cocktails delicious. I love that it's outside in a secret garden, great escape from traffic of Main Street read more